One Hall of Fame point guard says a future Hall of Fame point guard is ready to coach.

Jason Kidd was hired Wednesday to be the Brooklyn Nets' head coach in the same offseason he retired as a player. ESPN analyst and legendary point guard Magic Johnson said before the hire was official that it would be a great fit.

"Do I think Jason Kidd is going to be a great coach? Yes. Would I hire him? In a heartbeat," Johnson said in a conference call Wednesday.

Johnson drew comparisons to his own coaching career after retiring as a three-time MVP and five-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. It's safe to say Johnson's coaching tenure wasn't as decorated as his playing career.

Johnson finished with a 5-11 record as a head coach in 1994, taking over at the end of a down season for the Lakers. He returned as a player for the 1995-96 season at age 36.

"I never wanted the job, let's be clear," Johnson said. "I did (late Lakers owner Jerry) Buss a favor by taking that job.

"I think Jason will do a wonderful job. What he won't understand is that it will take more work than being a player. I stayed up all day and all night going over game plans and studying film. I couldn't even sleep."

Johnson wasn't the only multiple-MVP-winning point guard vouching for Kidd's coaching potential. Lakers guard and two-time MVP winner Steve Nash also gave the nod to his former teammate with the Phoenix Suns.

"I think Jason would be a fantastic coach. He's played a long time," Nash said in a different Wednesday conference call. "I think he not only has a great acumen for the game, but may be in a special position in that he has great respect from the players and he's just removed from the game, so I think he'd make a great NBA coach."

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Jason Kidd, 19-year NBA veteran and 10-time NBA All-Star, announced his retirement June 3 with two seasons left on his contract with the Knicks. His 12,091 assists and his 2,684 steals both rank second in NBA history behind John Stockton. Flip through this gallery for his career highlights.
Russ Isabella, USA TODAY Sports

Kidd's court vision was obvious from his earliest days, but his shot had not been harnessed until his 30s. He shot worse than 40% from the field in his first stint with the Mavs.
Porter Binks, USA TODAY Sports

Kidd was teamed up with fellow young rising stars Jamal Mashburn, left, and Jim Jackson, right, in his early time with the Mavericks. But the grouping didn't work out, and all three were traded midseason in 1996-97.
AP

Kidd and ex-wife Joumana have three children, a son and twin daughters. But their 2007 divorce, after a decade of marriage, was nasty as she accused him of domestic violence.
Todd Plitt, USA TODAY Sports

Kidd teamed up with Dirk Nowitzki on the Mavericks to finally break through for his first title in 2011. He started every game during his 4½ seasons with the Mavs, though his production had declined.
Don Emmert, AFP/Getty Images